Meeting the Basic Skills Requirement
Candidates for the California teaching credential may satisfy the Basic Skills Requirement (BSR) through a variety of options.
Candidates can demonstrate basic skills by
- passing the CBEST exam
- submitting proof of qualifying alternative basic skills exam scores, e.g., SAT, ACT, AP, etc.
- qualifying college-level coursework
- a combination of qualifying college-level coursework and qualifying basic skills exams including the CBEST.
Combining Options
Please see the tables under Reading, Writing, and Mathematics for details about qualifying college-level coursework and qualifying basic skills exams that may be combined to satisfy each subject of the Basic Skills Requirement.
Coursework Option
If using coursework to meet one or more components of the Basic Skills Requirement, the following rules apply:
The candidate must have earned a grade of "B" or better (“B-” is acceptable) in the qualifying coursework
- The coursework must have been taken at a regionally accredited college or university
- The coursework must provide 3-semester units (or 4.5 quarter units) of college credit
- The coursework must have been taken for academic credit (earned units)
- The coursework must be AA or BA degree applicable
- If taken at a college or university outside the United States, the courses must be English-based courses and must be deemed as equivalent to coursework taken at a regionally-accredited college or university in the United States. Foreign-prepared educators must obtain an evaluation of their transcripts through a Commission-approved Foreign Transcript Evaluating Agency. See leaflet CL-635for more information.
The following coursework is NOT acceptable:
- Professional development or continuing education units
- Inservice training or workshops
- Non-credit bearing courses
- Courses where credits do not apply toward the requirements for an Associate degree, Baccalaureate degree, or higher degree
Note that out-of-state basic skills examination subtests cannot be used as a mix-and-match option.
If you do not take the CBEST or have not passed all sections of the CBEST, you may request an evaluation of Basic Skills Requirements through alternative options. To determine if you qualify for satisfying the BSR through alternative options, please review the tables provided for meeting the Reading, Writing and Mathematics BSR. To request an evaluation of Basic Skills Requirements, please complete Form 41-BSR. (Note: if you select a test or exam to meet a BSR, you must upload a copy of your test/exam score with your request for an evaluation. Please contact the test provider to obtain a copy of the scores.).
For additional information, please consult the CTC correspondence.